April 2015

Marlys Jane Koosmann, age 89, of Appleton, formerly of Benson, died Sunday, April 19th, at Appleton Area Health Services – Nursing Home. Funeral services were Saturday, April 25th at 2:00PM, at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton, Pastor Michelle Rowell officiated. Burial followed at the Appleton City Cemetery.

Marlys Jane Koosmann was born November 28, 1925 at Hegbert Township, Swift County, Minnesota, the daughter of Ole and Mary (Oyen) Ronning. She was baptized and confirmed at the Long Lake Lutheran Church. Marlys attended Country School in Hegbert Township, graduating from the 8th grade.

For the past 35 years Steve and Gail Svor have provided entertainment, jobs, and even “babysitting services” to the Benson area through Svor’s Family Roller Rink.
Their four children, Kelly, Kristi, Kayla and Josh all grew up at the roller rink learning to skate, work the concession stand and help others learn how to navigate the floor of the Benson Amory on wheels.
“When we would get to the rink, we would lace Kristi (2 years old at the time) in a pair of little white high top skates with wooden wheels,” Gail recalls. “She would just put her hands out and people would pull her around the rink all night.”
For Steve and Gail Svor, the roller rink was a passion they pursued while Steve worked fulltime for the City of Benson’s street department with Gail a registered nurse with Swift County-Benson Hospital’s Home Health services.

Late last year Benson’s CNH gave the City of Benson notice that it would be ending its lease for the northern portion of the city-owned civic center.
That lease has provided $26,000 in revenue annually that has been used to improve the south portion of the building that houses the indoor skating rink used for the Benson Public Schools hockey program. In recent years, the funds have helped build locker rooms and a heated viewing area as well as pay for ongoing repairs.
With the lease expected to end early this year, the city and Benson schools had started a conversation about the potential uses of the space by the school district. Some businesses in the community had also expressed an interest in the space.

Imagine: the tall grass moving in an undulating fashion, the colors changing with the ever persisting prairie wind; yellow and blue, purple and white. The butterflies chasing each other above the many wild flowers, giving the appearance of the grass and flowers flying. And then they came, the pioneers. They came with their own histories and with their own agendas. They also came with their own prejudice born of their times and background . And they thought or were led to believe that the land was theirs if they could subdue it and make it produce wheat and oats and corn for the ever expanding markets of the cities in the east.

For the past couple months an organized effort has been underway to gather support against a proposed $18.7 million Benson Public Schools building bond referendum. That vote is set to take place May 12.
Last Thursday night those opposed to the project conducted their third meeting to explain to supporters and the public why they believe the project is ill conceived and hasn’t been clearly explained to voters.
Acting as the spokesperson at the meeting in the Swift County Law Enforcement Center, Torning Township farmer Allen Saunders told the group of about 40 people gathered that the intent of the meeting was not to complain or attack anyone. He said those who had organized the meeting appreciated the work the school administrative and board members had done on the proposed building project, though they didn’t support it.

BID OPENING
Contractor's sealed Proposals for the 2015 Benson High School Reroofing will be received by the Independent School District No. 777, Benson, Minnesota, until 2:00 p.m., May 14, 2015 at the office of the Superintendent of Schools, in Benson, Minnesota, in accordance with the plans and specifications prepared by Architects Rego + Youngquist, inc., 7601 Wayzata Boulevard, St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55426.
Bids will be opened publicly and read aloud at the above time and place. Bids received after 2:00 pm will be returned unopened.
A single bid will be received for all divisions of the Contract.
Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked on the lower left-hand corner "Sealed Bid Enclosed" with the name and address of the bidder and the date and hour of the opening and addressed to:

The Annual Meeting of the West Bank Cemetery Association will be held Saturday, April 25 at 2:30 p.m. at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, Room 107. All interested parties are encouraged to attend.
4-22-1c
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ESTATE OF JOSEPH EDWARD DIEDERICH
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OFSWIFT
EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
DISTRICT COURT
PROBATE DIVISION
Court File No. 76-PR-15-157
Estate of Joseph Edward Diederich,
Decedent
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NOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION OF INTESTACY, DETERMINATION OF
HEIRSHIP, APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
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The Benson Planning Commission hereby gives notice that a Public Hearing will be held at 12:00 Noon on Monday, May 4, 2015, in the Benson City Council Chambers, 1410 Kansas Ave. The hearing is held to take testimony either for or against the issuance of a variance at 209 – 10th St. N. to build a car port closer to the property line than the ordinance allows.
All interested persons are invited to attend the hearing or submit written comments to the office of the City Manager, 1410 Kansas Ave, Benson, MN 56215, prior to the hearing.